Energy Generation Structure

Abstract

An energy generation structure comprising: a wind collector comprising a wind barrier such as a flexible membrane, an aperture through the barrier, and a plurality of supporting elements anchoring the barrier to a supporting body, the wind collector being thereby arranged to funnel wind through the aperture. The structure further comprises at least one wind turbine disposed at the aperture so as to generate energy from wind passing through the aperture.

1 . An energy generation structure comprising:
 a wind collector comprising a flexible membrane, an aperture through the flexible membrane, and a plurality of supporting elements anchoring the flexible membrane to a supporting body, the wind collector being thereby arranged to funnel wind striking the flexible membrane through the aperture; and   at least one wind turbine disposed at said aperture so as to generate energy from wind passing through the aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible membrane has an elastic property so as to temporarily stretch under force of said wind. 
     
     
         3 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said supporting body comprises a land mass. 
     
     
         4 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said supporting body comprises an architectural edifice having a primary function other than supporting said flexible membrane. 
     
     
         5 . The structure of  claim 4 , wherein said architectural edifice comprises a bridge. 
     
     
         6 . The structure of  claim 4 , wherein said architectural edifice comprises a plurality of buildings. 
     
     
         7 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said supporting body is located substantially by a body of water. 
     
     
         8 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said barrier is substantially in the shape of a spinnaker sail. 
     
     
         9 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said barrier is substantially in the shape of a flared tube. 
     
     
         10 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said barrier is substantially frustroconical in shape. 
     
     
         11 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises a channelling housing disposed at said aperture and surrounding the turbine, arranged to channel the wind funnelled through the aperture over the turbine. 
     
     
         12 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises a plurality of wind turbines disposed at said aperture so as to generate energy from wind passing through the aperture. 
     
     
         13 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible membrane is a single, continuous sheet. 
     
     
         14 . An energy generation structure comprising:
 a wind collector comprising a wind barrier, an aperture through the barrier, a first supporting element anchored to a side of a first land mass portion, and a second supporting element anchored to a substantially opposing side of second land mass portion, the barrier being thereby arranged to funnel wind passing between said opposing sides of the first and second land mass portions through the aperture; and   at least one wind turbine disposed at said aperture so as to generate energy from wind passing through the aperture.   
     
     
         15 . The structure of  claim 14 , wherein said barrier has a tapered shape so as to direct said air path through said aperture. 
     
     
         16 . The structure of  claim 14 , wherein said barrier is substantially in the shape of a spinnaker sail. 
     
     
         17 . The structure of  claim 14 , wherein said barrier is substantially in the shape of a flared tube. 
     
     
         18 . The structure of  claim 14 , wherein said barrier is substantially frustroconical in shape. 
     
     
         19 . The structure of  claim 18 , wherein said sides are opposing sides of one of a gorge, a valley, and a fjord. 
     
     
         20 . The structure of  claim 19 , wherein said gorge, valley or fjord opens onto a body of water. 
     
     
         21 . The structure of  claim 20 , wherein said body of water comprises one of a sea and a lake. 
     
     
         22 . The structure of  claim 14 , wherein the structure comprises a channelling housing disposed at said aperture and surrounding the turbine, arranged to channel the wind funnelled through the aperture over the turbine. 
     
     
         23 . The structure of  claim 14 , wherein the structure comprises a plurality of wind turbines disposed at said aperture so as to generate energy from wind passing through the aperture. 
     
     
         24 . An energy generation structure comprising:
 a wind collector comprising a wind barrier, an aperture through the barrier, a plurality of supporting elements anchoring the barrier to an architectural edifice having a primary function other than supporting said barrier, the wind collector being thereby arranged to funnel wind through the aperture; and   at least one wind turbine disposed at said aperture so as to generate energy from wind passing through the aperture.   
     
     
         26 . The structure of  claim 24 , wherein said architectural edifice comprises a bridge. 
     
     
         27 . The structure of  claim 24 , wherein said architectural edifice comprises one or more buildings. 
     
     
         28 . The structure of  claim 24 , wherein said barrier has a tapered shape so as to direct said air path through said aperture. 
     
     
         29 . The structure of  claim 24 , wherein said barrier is substantially in the shape of a spinnaker sail. 
     
     
         30 . The structure of  claim 24 , wherein said barrier is substantially in the shape of a flared tube. 
     
     
         31 . The structure of  claim 24 , wherein said barrier is substantially frustroconical in shape. 
     
     
         32 . The structure of  claim 24 , wherein the structure comprises a channelling housing disposed at said aperture and surrounding the turbine, arranged to channel the wind funnelled through the aperture over the turbine. 
     
     
         33 . The structure of  claim 24 , wherein the structure comprises a plurality of wind turbines disposed at said aperture so as to generate energy from wind passing through the aperture. 
     
     
         34 . An energy generation structure comprising:
 a wind collector comprising a wind barrier, an aperture through the barrier, and a plurality of supporting elements anchoring the flexible membrane to a supporting body, the wind collector being thereby arranged to funnel wind striking the flexible membrane through the aperture;   at least one wind turbine disposed at said aperture so as to generate energy from wind passing through the aperture; and   a channelling housing disposed at said aperture and surrounding the turbine, arranged to channel the wind funnelled through the aperture over the turbine.